Charges against former tribal chair dismissed

Charges were dismissed without prejudice — meaning prosecutors could refile them — Tuesday in the case against former Chippewa Cree Tribal Chairman Kenneth Blatt St. Marks for allegedly violating an order of protection filed by his ex-wife.

A motion to dismiss and vacate trial made in Hill County Justice Court by Deputy Hill County Attorney Karen Alley was granted, a day before St. Marks was set to appear in court for a hearing.

The motion says the reason for the request for dismissal “was in the interest of justice.”

Alley said Thursday that “in the interest of justice” means the state either doesn’t have enough evidence to move forward with the case or additional investigation needs to be done.

The county attorney’s office has a year to refile charges if new evidence is found, Alley said.

St. Marks pled not guilty to the charges at a Mar. 12 hearing.

He was arrested Feb. 28 by Hill County deputies for allegedly violating an order of protection filed by his ex-wife Karen St. Marks.

She had filed a previous complaint against Kenneth St. Marks in Chippewa Cree Tribal Court at or about Jan. 30.

The complaint filed by Karen St. Marks in Tribal Court says Kenneth St. Marks called and visited her on a daily basis and came to her home, despite an order of protection in place against him.